Information book of Hungary
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Table of Contents
A Brief History –The Birth of the Hungarian Kingdom
3-5.
Did you know about Hungary?
6-7.
The Geology of Hungary
8-9.
National Parks in Hungary
9-16.
Famous Hungarian Art and Architecture
17-18.
Famous Hungarian Castles and Palaces
19.
Famous Hungarian Museums
20-21.
Buda
22-23.
Pest
24-25.
Musical Adventure
26-29.
Famous Musicians of Hungary
30-32.
Hungarian Poetry
33-37.
Great Hungarians in the history of mathematics and physics
38-44.
Customs and Traditions
45-48.
Hungarian Folk Art
49.
Hungarian Folkdance Types
50-52.
Do you know the Hungarian cuisine?
53-55.
Hungarian Cuisine
56-60.
Recipies
61-66.
Must try Hungarian specialities
67-69.
Into a gift-basket…
70-72.
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A Brief History –The Birth of the Hungarian Kingdom
The Carpathian Basin has been populated by successive peoples for thousands of years. One
such tribe was the nomadic Magyars. They reached the area in the mid-8th century. They
were known for their equestrian skills. Magyars raided far and wide, until they were stopped
by the Germans in 955. In 1000 A.D., the Magyar prince Stephen was crowned as 'Christian
King', with a crown sent from Rome by the pope, so the Hungarian Kingdom and nation was
officially born.
Important dates of Hungarian history
5th century The Hungarian tribes left the area of the Urals. They passed along the Volga and
the Caspian Sea. After several hundred years of wandering, they reached the Carpathian
Basin.
896 Under the leadership of Árpád, the Hungarian tribes settled in the Carpathian Basin.
They drove out part of the residents and absorbed the other part.
997-1038 King Stephen of the Árpád dynasty ruled the country.
1000 Stephen was converted to Christianity. After his death, he was canonized.
1055 An abbey was set up at Tihany. The foundation charter was drawn up on the northern
shore of Lake Balaton. This is the earliest written record extant in the Hungarian language.
1241 The Mongolian Tatars devastated the country. Their presence, which lasted a year,
halted development for at least a century. After the warfare with the Hungarians, the Tatars
did not continue towards the west.
1458-1490 The rule of King Matthias. Cultural life of a European standard flourished in his
palaces at Buda and Visegrád. For a few decades, Hungary lived on a West European
standard. 1526 At Mohács, the present southern frontier of the country, the Turks defeated
the Hungarian army. 150 years of Turkish occupation started.
1541 The Turks occupied Buda. Hungary was split into three parts. The Habsburg governed
the western part of the country, the central area was ruled by the Turks, and the south-east
Transylvanian principality (today part of Roumania) for a long time was the citadel of
Hungarian culture.
1686 Buda was recaptured from the Turks. (The Turks - similarly to the Tartars - could only
advance in Europe to the territory of Hungary. Here they were faced by obstacles, after
which no strength was left for the siege of Vienna.)
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1703-1711 A freedom war was under the leadership of Ferenc Rákóczi II, Prince of
Transylvania, against the Habsburgs. The rebels defeated the Imperial army in several
battles, but did not receive the promised French support and failed.
First half of the 19th century A national reform movement was launched for the political and
economic transformation of the country, for Hungarian language and culture. This was when
the National Anthem was born, and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences was set up. The
building of the Chain Bridge started. The initiator of these was Count István Széchenyi, an
eminent figure of the Reform Age.
1848-1849 A revolution broke out in Pest, which extended over the entire country. The
Habsburg Emperor was dethroned after the Hungarian army won several significant battles.
Lajos Kossuth was elected Governor. The longest European national revolution could only be
oppressed in the summer of 1849 by the Habsburgs with the help of the Russian army.
1867 The Hungarians concluded a compromise with the Habsburgs. A double-centred
monarchy was set up with seats in Vienna and Pest-Buda. A spectacular industrial upswing
started.
1873 Pest, Buda and Obuda were unified: Budapest became a European metropolis. The
buildings of that time - the Opera House, the National Gallery and Parliament - still
determine the skyline of the city. The first subsurface underground railway on continental
Europe was put into operation.
1918 Germany and its allies, including the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, lost the world war.
The monarchy disintegrated.
1920 The Trianon Treaty reduced Hungary's area by two thirds and the population by one
third. Since then, considerable Hungarian minorities lived in the neighbouring countries.
1938-1940 Germany concluded treaties in Munich and Vienna, according to which Southern
Slovakia and Northern Transylvania were returned to Hungary.
1944 The Nazis occupied Hungary, as they did not consider it a reliable ally. During the
Second World War, the Hungarians suffered grave losses on the Soviet front. At the end of
the war, Fascists took over the governing of the country.
1945 The Soviet Army liberated, and then occupied Hungary. At the hastily held elections,
the Communists gained only 17 percent of the votes.
1947 The last, relatively free election was followed by the years of Communist control: show
trials, executions, forced settlement of hundreds of thousands, imprisonment, harassment,
forced industrial development, a drop in living standards, and Stalinist dictatorship.
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1956 A revolution against Stalinism. The uprising was defeated by Soviet troops. János Kádár,
who acquired power with their assistance, promised democratic socialism; in the meantime,
retaliation and executions started.
1965 The new system became consolidated, and cautious economic reforms were launched.
Living standards were rising and the iron curtain became penetrable.
1988 The Hungarian transition period began.
1990 The Communist party voluntarily gave up its autocracy. A multi-party parliamentary
democracy came into being in the country. The Soviet army left Hungary.
1999 Hungary became full member of NATO.
2004 Hungary became a member of the EU.
Hungary’s Public Holidays
Holidays in 2010
1 Jan
15 Mar
5 Apr
1 May
24 May
20 Aug
23 Oct
1 Nov
24 Dec
25 Dec
26 Dec
New Year's Day.
Anniversary of 1848 uprising against Austrian rule.
Easter Monday.
Labour Day.
Whit Monday.
National Day (Feast of St Stephen).
Republic Day (Anniversary of 1956).
All Saints' Day.
Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day.
Boxing Day.
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Did you know about Hungary?
Hungary is a landlocked country in the Carpathian Basin in the heart of Europe, bordered by
Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. In the past decade,
Hungary was listed as one of the 15 most popular tourist destinations in the world, with a
capital Budapest, regarded as one of the most beautiful urban landscapes in the world. The
country is home to the second largest thermal lake in the world (Lake Hévíz), the largest lake
in Central Europe (Lake Balaton) that is also called ”the Hungarian sea” and the largest
natural grassland in Europe (Hortobágy).
Interesting Facts about Hungary
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The official name of Hungary is ‘Hungarian Republic’.
Hungarian is one of the most difficult languages of the world.
Hungary is situated in East-Central Europe and shares its borders with Austria,
Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia.
The official language of Hungary is Hungarian and its currency is Hungarian Forint HUF.
The main religion followed in Hungary is Roman Catholicism, followed by Calvinist,
Lutheran and Greek Catholicism.
Hungary follows republican form of government.
The largest city in Hungary, Budapest, is also its capital and its cultural, economic and
industrial centre.
Hungary is one of the oldest countries in Europe, founded way back in the year 896.
Hungarian language is also known as Magyar and is the direct descendent of the
language spoken by the Huns, who gave the country its name.
The Kingdom of Hungary was one of the largest states in Europe, around 1000 CE.
The Hungarian Grand Prix of 1986 was the first Formula One race to take place
behind the Iron Curtain.
The noiseless match, Rubik's cube, vitamin C, holography, ballpoint pen, theory of the
hydrogen bomb, BASIC programming language and the krypton electric bulb were
invented by Hungarians only.
Hungary has one of the most important thermal spring cultures in the entire Europe.
There are as many as 1,500 spas in the country, adorned with Roman, Greek and
Turkish architecture.
Numerous established composers, like Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály and Franz Liszt,
belonged to Hungary.
Till 2007, 13 Hungarians had received a Nobel Prize.
Hungary has won the sixth highest number of Summer Olympic gold medals.
Pécs (a South-Hungarian city) is the European Capital of Culture in 2010.
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Hungarian National flag
Our national flag had also gone through a long period of development before it acquired its
present form. According to chronicles, the Magyars would fight under red flags adorned with
a black turul (the mythical eagle of the ancient Hungarians). These military ensigns were to
be replaced by flags that bore the images of saints. (For example, Saint Stephen would go to
war "under the banners of St George and St Martin".) Later the red and silver striped flag
(occasionally complemented with the colours of the ruling dynasty) became habitual.
Although from the 15th century onward the red-silver-green twist occurred more and more
frequently on the silk strings of document seals and sometimes on the pily fringes of military
banners, the present order of the three colours was only described in 1806, and it was only
Act XXI of 1848 that officially provided for the first time that the colours "red, white and
green" be used.
Hungarian Flag Meaning:
The red stripe symbolizes strength; the white stripe represents faithfulness and fidelity; and
the green stands for hope.
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The Geology of Hungary
Hungary is situated in the Northern and Eastern Hemisphere; almost in the middle of Europe
with a humid-continental climate.
The whole area of Hungary is divided into 3 larger parts:
Dunántúl – West of the Danube
Duna-Tisza köze – between the two largest rivers, the Danube and the Tisza
Tiszántúl – to the East of Tisza
Most of Hungary’s surface is lowland (about 68%), 30% is covered by hills between
200 and 400 m-s and only 2% of the country rises above 400 metres. There is a tectonic line
called Zágráb-Hernád line, which divides the country into two geological parts. It is a straight
line from Zagreb to the Zemplén Mountains.
South of the line the ground of the Hungarian basin was created on the northern
shoreline of the Thetys Ocean and the edge of the Eurasian plate. North of the ZágrábHernád line the ground of the basin was created on the southern shoreline of the Thetys and
the edge of the African plate. A great part north of the Zagráb-Hernád line is a part of the
African plate, which was pushed into present-day Hungary during the creation of the
Eurasian Mountain System. This process was followed by high volcanic activities and many
scientists believe that the mass of andesitic rock erupting from these volcanoes caused the
unusual thinness of the crust (26-27 km) under Hungary.
This would explain why Hungary has a higher geothermal gradient than any other
country on the European mainland (except for Italy).
The geology of Hungary can be summarized into 3 main statements:
The ground of the basin isn’t one rigid and crystallized block of rock, but it consists of
different parts with different origin and age.
The rocks of the Carpathian Basin weren’t created on their present place but were
created in the Southern hemisphere and were travelling from there to their present location
in millions of years.
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The Zágráb-Hernád line is nothing else than a former plate margin between the
African and the Eurasian plates. To the north of it, rocks of African(!) origin, while to the
south of it, rocks of Eurasian(!) origin can be found.
Hungary has a great diversity of rocks. The oldest surface rocks can be found in the
Zemplén Mts. (about 900 million years old), but there are parts under the surface which are
dating back 1.1 billion years ago.
The most important mountains made of granite were formed in the Carboniferous
period of the Earth’s history. These are the Soproni Mts., the Velencei Mts. and a stripe of
granite under the Alföld (lowland).In the Triassic period mainly mountains composed of
limestone were formed.
We can see large limestone and dolomite surfaces in the Dunántúli-középhegység,
parts of the Mecsek Mountains, the Villányi Mts. and the Bükk Mts. Limestone of economic
importance can be found in the Bakony Mts. and in the Gerecse Mts. It was deposited in the
Jurassic period. There is a volcanic chain under the sediment of the Alföld, which is
remaining of strong geological activities in the area during the formation of the European
members of the Eurasian mountain system. These volcanoes are about 130 million years old.
During the Miocene period the mountains of the Carpathians were raising, while the
Carpathian Basin was sinking. On the margin of these two different regions, strong volcanic
activity began, which resulted in the formation of a ring of volcanoes in the Carpathian Mts.,
stretching from the Visegrád Mts. to Hargita (Transylvania). The post-volcanic activities of
this period caused the hydrothermal ore-production (copper, lead, zinc) of the Börzsöny,
Mátra and Zempléni Mts.
National Parks in Hungary
There are 10 national parks in Hungary.
1.) Fertő-Hanság National Park
2.) Őrség National Park
3.) Balaton-Uplands National Park
4.) Duna-Dráva National Park
5.) Kiskunság National Park
6.) Duna-Ipoly National Park
7.) Bükk National Park
8.) Aggtelek National Park
9.) Hortobágy National Park
10.)
Körös-Maros National Park
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Fertö-Hanság National Park
Lake Fertö is situated on the territory of Austria and Hungary. It is Europe's largest salt-water
lake. It is fed mainly by two streams and rainwater, it has no natural drainage, so its water is
drained off by the Hanság channel. The thick reed-beds and the marshy areas form a
veritable bird paradise. The Fertö-Hanság National Park was established in 1979, and it is
regarded as one of the internationally significant natural water areas of Europe.
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Örség National Park
The newest Hungarian National Park, the Örség National Park, was established in 2002 and
it is situated on 44,000 hectares. Its unique landscapes and cultural heritages are well known
in Hungary. Villages kept their medieval forms and the so called “szeres” structure. The
National Park also includes the hills of Koszeg and Ság Hill Nature Conservation Areas.
Balaton Uplands National Park
The park is located the north of Lake Balaton, the largest (more than 70 km long) freshwater
lake of Central Europe.
The Basalt Mountains of the area are not only unique and picturesque geological relics, they
are also the habitat of many rare plants and animals. In addition to the natural values it is
worth to mention the vineyards, the architectural relics of the hills and villages, ruins of
castles, churches and palaces
On the rocks and in the forests of the basalt hills several rare birds nest: raven, red footed
falcon, rock bird etc. In the reeds below the Szigliget Hill the protected greylag goose breeds.
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Duna-Dráva National Park
The establishment of the Duna-Drava National Park had to be prepared for several years
because it had originally aimed at being a cross-border national park with the former
Yugoslavia. The national park was eventually established in 1996 only on the Hungarian side,
with more than 49,000 hectares. It consists of large separate units along the Danube from
the River Sió to the natural border and along the River Drava. The protected areas comprise
a wide range of habitats from open water surfaces through various types of deciduous
forests to dry rock grasslands and sandy grasslands.
Kiskunság National Park
The Kiskunság National Park has approximately 284,165 acres of protected area. 123,550
acres of the total amount comprise the nine separated areas of it, eg.: the Upper-Kiskunság
Plain (Puszta). This is a large saline lowland plain of the Great Hungarian Plain. It was the
flood area of the River Danube with a calcareous-saline soil. It presents a nice variation of
saline meadows, grazing lands, saline terraces with a typical vegetation consisting of various
salt-resistant and halophyte species. The huge untouched land gives home to the largest and
steadiest population of the great bustard (Otis) in Hungary and the typical ancient Hungarian
domestic animals, the grey cattle and racka sheep live here.
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Bugac is the largest separate area of the Kiskunság National Park. The amazing variety of
different natural beauties and values include the highly protected Native Juniper Grove, sand
dune forests and sand plains, marshes, bogs, boggy meadows, wet grasslands, sodic lakes
and sodic plains. The sand-dune forests of junipers and poplars accommodate numerous
rare species of plants and animals.
Duna-Ipoly National Park
The Duna-Ipoly National Park, involving the wooded ranges along the Danube Bend and the
relatively untouched part of the River Ipoly Valley, was established in 1997. Its total area
covers 60,314 hectares. The uniqueness of the region derives from the interaction between
three different main landscape forms such as river valleys, mountains, and the lowland.
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Bükk National Park
The Bükk National Park was established in 1977. It preserves the natural flora, fauna and the
cultural values of the Bükk Mountains. The area of the park is 43,200 hectares from which 97
% is covered with forests.There are several unique and rare wildlife species in the mountains
and more than 900 caves are known. In 1989 the UNESCO recorded Hollokö village, situated
within the boundaries of the Hollokö Protected Landscape Area, among the World Heritage
Sites.
Aggtelek National Park
The Aggtelek National Park in north-east Hungary was established in 1985 to protect natural
treasures, surface formations and caves. Seventy-five percent of it is covered with deciduous
forests and there are more than 200 karst caves of various sizes.
Aggtelek and the Slovakian Karst form Central Europe’s largest cave system. The longest cave
in the Karst area is the Baradla Cave, with a total length of 25 km passageways, from which
5.6 km lies in Slovakian territory and is known as the Domica. The start of its formation can
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be put at around 2 million years ago. The waters of the streams got into the system of cracks
and slowly widened the crevices and formed the present passages, by dissolving and eroding
the limestone. The dripping water deposited its lime content, forming the stalactites and
stalagmites. These formations inspired the imaginations of discoverers and visitors, who
gave some of the formations special names like Dragon’s Head, Tiger, Mother in Law’s
Tongue, the Hall of Columns and the Hall of Giants. Finds of the archaeological excavations
have shown that the ancient man knew the cave, and even used Baradla as a place to live.
The Baradla Cave’s Concert Hall is well-known for its various concerts and its wonderful
acoustics.
Hortobágy National Park
Hortobágy is the largest continuous natural grassland in Europe. It is located on the eastern
part of the Hungarian Plains, the Alföld, and it was established in 1973 as the country’s
largest protected area. Hortobágy has outstanding natural features, maintaining great
biological diversity in respect of species and habitats. It is a unique example of the
harmonious coexistence of people and nature based on the careful use of the land.
Körös-Maros National Park
The Körös-Maros National Park in the south-east of Hungary has a mosaic-like structure and
it lies on 51121 hectars. It has many colourful regions such as the Kis-Sárrét swamp,
Fáspuszta, Mágor-puszta, Kardoskúti Fehértó. In the territory of the park there are several
unique and protected plant and animal species, for example:
The agárkosbor (Orchis morio) is a protected species of orchids. It lives on calcareous-sodic
soils and meadows.
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Famous Hungarian Art and Architecture
Hungary is perhaps best known for its architecture and cultural
heritage which dates back to ancient times. Visitors may find
themselves travelling several hundred years back in time standing
on a single street corner or visiting one of Hungary's most admired
sites.
Within the often changing borders of Hungary during its history, fine arts developed in
strong interaction with European art, and although they always reflected European
tendencies, they retained a strong character of their own.
The first important architectural works following the Hungarian Conquest began at the turn
of the 10th and 11th centuries with the construction of the Benedictine Abbey at
Pannonhalma, founded in the reign of Prince Géza. The royal basilica also built in this time
period in Székesfehérvár, served as a coronation and burial site.
After the Tartar incursions of 1241-2, Béla IV encouraged the construction of stone castles to
enhance defence. The architecture of the first half of the 14th century displays the influence
of
French
late
classical
gothic
and
Italian
Trecento.
Architecture under King Matthias in the second half of the 15th century at first displayed a
late Gothic influence, but the influence of the Italian Renaissance can be sensed also at
Visegrád and the Buda Castle.
Constant war meant that the most important buildings of the 16th century were castles.
Enormous fortresses mostly based upon Italian designs, was carried out to contain Turkish
conquest. Christian churches were modified under the 150 years of Turkish rule, and new
mosques constructed.
Traces of 17th and 18th century baroque have remained practically everywhere and
buildings from this period make the greatest part of Hungarian standing monuments.
Building activity recommenced after the expulsion of the Turks, ecclesiastical architecture
gained impetus and there was much palace-building.
In the 19th century the emphasis turned increasingly to secular buildings and homes. At the
beginning of the century a variety of classicism more puritan than that of Western Europe
became the main style.
Despite the sharp contrast between the twin cities of Buda and
Pest, both radiate the aspirations of the era.
In Pest, the proud neo-classical unity of the buildings, enlivened at
intervals by decorative flecks of art nouveau and extravagant
eclecticism.
In Buda the pattern is turned on its head. The winding old-world
alleyways are lined with colourful Baroque palaces; shallow-domed steam baths built by the
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Turks during their long occupation. The Royal Palace boasts a long line of royal residents
stretching back into the middle ages.
Among the most impressive Hungarian architectural feats are:
Budapest's oldest built traditional urban district is the Old Jewish Quarter of Pest is
embracing a dense network of fractured and curving streets established in the first half of
the 18th century. Eclectic apartment houses of the growing metropolis of Pest as well as the
secessionist apartment houses of Hungarian-Eastern-modern effect and the spirituality of
the Jewish faith are all present simultaneously.
The Neo-Gothic Parliament building is one of the city's most decorative structures,
characterized by numerous small spikes and stone lace ornamentation. With its magnificent
staircase and exquisite reception rooms, the parliament is one of the largest assemblies in
the world.
The richly decorated Neo-Renaissance Opera House is one of the
greatest Hungarian architecture of the 19th century.
Gresham Palace (today the home of the Four Seasons Hotel) is one
of the most remarkable palaces of the 20th century built in
Secessionist style.
The replica of the Transylvanian Vajdahunyad Castle was built for the 1896 Millennial
Exhibition, today gives home to the Hungarian Agricultural Museum.
The Palace of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences was built in 1865 is one of the finest
examples of Neo-Renaissance style. The building's façade is part of the image of the city and
the richly decorated harmonious interiors welcome prestigious concerts and conferences.
The Buda Castle's predecessor of the present main Church, the Matthias Church, was named
after Our Lady the Virgin Mary and was built between 1250 and 1260. It received its present
neo-Gothic form following reconstruction between 1874 and 1896. Due to its imposing
acoustics, it is a frequent scene of classical music concerts.
The largest Synagogue in Europe was built between 1854 and 1859. Its characteristic
romantic style is mixed with byzantine and Moorish elements adding Eastern qualities to the
monumental double-domed building.
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Famous Hungarian Castles and Palaces
More than 1,500 castles, palaces and manor houses have been built in Hungary over the
centuries. It was after the Tatar invasion of the 1200's that King Béla IV erected castles and
strong fortresses throughout the country. The foundation of nearly all castles are still
standing or rebuilt today, including the Royal Palace in Budapest, date to that period.
In addition to the Buda Royal Palace, the towering ruins of
Visegrád reflect both the military and strategic significance of this
small but ancient town along the banks of the Danube. The
imposing fortress was built by King Mátyás at a time when Hungary
was flexing its muscles on the international stage. This is further
emphasized by the lavish palace in the town below.
Lake Balaton has always been treasured by Hungarians and it is no coincidence that it is
surrounded by castles and other fortifications. Some 30 kilometres to the north of Keszthely,
the castle of Sümeg dominates the skyline from its vantage point atop its solitary limestone
hill. Originally built as a defence against the Mongols, it was the only fortress that didn't fall
to the Turks, but it did finally succumb to the might of the Habsburgs. In the sixteenth
century, the town of Nagyvázsony was on the border between Turkish and Habsburg-ruled
Hungary. The 90 foot-high castle keep is still intact today and is complemented by the Zichy
manor house, which also has its own riding school.
The area of Transdanubia to the north of Lake Balaton was caught in the crossfire for much
of the long-drawn-out conflict between the Hungarians, the Turks and the Habsburgs. The
scores of castle ruins in the region are a lasting legacy of the battles fought out over the
centuries. In 1532, 800 soldiers held an army of 60,000 Turks at bay for 25 days at the city
walls of the delightful town of Kőszeg on the Austrian border, halting their progress to
Vienna. Today, Jurisics Castle and the historic medieval town stage tournaments in the
summer months, as well as a Renaissance festival in August.
The famous Hungarian aristocratic family, the Eszterházy family
built the country's largest Baroque mansion in Fertőd. The 18th
century jewel often likened to Versailles had an opera house,
puppet theatre, music hall, Chinese pavilion, small churches and its
own orchestra directed by Haydn. Today the international Haydn
Festival is hosted there as well as many musical performances.
Remarkably, the Benedictine Abbey in Pannonhalma, founded in 996, has survived every
war in Hungary's history. It is one of the few medieval cloisters still standing today, although
it has had a few makeovers and even functioned briefly as a mosque.
Sárvár, with its pentagon-shaped Nádasdy Castle, is also home to a Renaissance mansion
decorated with lavish paintings and furnishings, as well as a fine collection of medieval
weaponry. What's more, many of the trees in the arboretum are more than 300 years old
and the park houses a modern thermal spa hotel, one of the most popular in Transdanubia.
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Famous Hungarian Museums
Budapest is packed with museums and galleries, and there are plenty of temporary
exhibitions in the most unlikely of settings, particularly in.
Hungarian National Museum
Founded on the personal collection of philanthropist Count Ferenc
Széchenyi, the National Museum has been home to a stunning
array of Hungarian art since 1802. The artwork and artefacts on the
inside are equally impressive and include St Stephen's coronation
cloak and huge frescoes and wall friezes.
Hungarian National Gallery
Occupying three wings of the Buda Royal Palace, the National Gallery contains around
100,000 works of art from the 11th century onwards, including architectural remains,
carvings, reliefs and paintings.
Museum of Fine Arts
One of Europe's most important art museums gives a home to the memories of universal art
from antiquity till the present day. Visitors are welcomed with changing and permanent
exhibitions with both Hungarian and foreign guides as well as activities for children.
House of Terror
For the much of the last century, 60 Andrássy Street was an address that struck fear into the
hearts of Hungarians. First, it became the headquarters of the Hungarian ultra-right party,
the Arrow Cross regime in 1944, before being taken over by the Communist secret police
until the short-lived 1956 revolution. The building has now been converted into a museum,
incorporating the cellars - and even the instruments - used to torture prisoners. It is designed
as much to remind visitors of the horrors of the totalitarianism as it is to educate.
Memento Park
After the fall of the Communist regime in 1989, many of the Communist
statues and monuments were immediately removed in Hungary. These
items formed the basis for the current collection of the Statue Park. Marx,
Engels and Lenin are just a few of the socialist heroes whose alter egos are
found here. This is the world's unique such collection from the period of
communist cultural politics and it's the most exciting outdoor museum in
Central Europe. The Memento Park is accessible via public transport (direct
bus) from Deák Square.
The Museum of Military History
The museum exhibits military objects and documents either of Hungarian origin or relating
to the military history of Hungary. The exhibition "Thirteen Days about the 1956 Revolution"
is well worth viewing.
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Mansion Museum
The permanent collection of this attractive Baroque mansion includes over 300 items of
furniture and suites in 28 rooms, plus tile stoves, chandeliers, carpets, tapestries, ceramics,
glassware and gold and silversmith works.
The Budapest History Museum
The museum presents the 2000-year old history of
the capital. The fascinating collection of artefacts and
historical documents traces the city's and the castle's
history via three distinct exhibitions. In summertime
visitors can walk in the reconstructed mediaeval gardens, climb on the top of the castle walls
and up the panoramic Buzogány Tower.
Museum of Ethnography
One of Europe's largest specialist museums with around 139,000 Hungarian and 53,000
international art objects. The ornate interior served as Hungary's Supreme Court until 1975.
The exhibition includes a variety of temporary exhibitions of artwork, photography, clothing
and jewellery.
Hungarian House of Photographers (Mai Manó Háza)
The museum houses contemporary and historic photographic exhibitions.
Vasarely Museum
The museum is named after Hungarian born painter Győző Vásárhelyi who moved to Paris in
1930 to work and who as Victor Vasarely gained world fame as the founder of the op-art
movement. His pictures use sharp colours, geometric forms and optical illusions.
Ludwig Museum
Relocated to the newly built Palace of Arts, the Ludwig Museum was Hungary's first
international showcase for contemporary art documenting the progression of Hungarian
artists as they attempted to break out of Socialist Realism.
21
Buda
Castle Hill
Castle Hill - home to what you might call Buda's 'old
town' - has been a cultural and strategic focal point of the city for centuries and was also the
site of over 30 sieges. The inevitable damage resulted in several episodes of rebuilding, often
re-using stones from the rubble and lending to the district a fascinating mix of architectural
styles. The showpieces are the spectacular Mátyás Church and the Buda Royal Palace to the
south. In addition, the views over Pest from the Fishermen's Bastion will take your breath
away.
Buda Royal Palace
The enormous building at the southern end of Castle Hill has
been the royal palace, in various styles and guises, since the 14th century. It was rebuilt 400
years later and required major reconstruction work after World War II. It now houses the
Budapest History Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery and the National Széchenyi
Library.
Fishermen's Bastion
The Fishermen's Bastion is often the first stop for tourists visiting
Budapest, the fairytale turrets offering an elevated vantage point from which to view the
22
city. The minarets and walls look medieval, but they were actually built in 1902 by Frigyes
Schulek to complement Mátyás Church.
Gellért Hill
Visible from almost everywhere in Budapest, Gellért Hill , with
the impressive Freedom Monument on its peak, is one of the city's memorable landmarks.
The 14-metre monument was originally commissioned by Miklós Horthy as a memorial to his
son, who died in a wartime air accident. When the Russians arrived, they replaced the
propeller that the figure was originally meant to hold aloft with a palm frond to symbolize
the country's liberation from the Nazis. Just beyond the monument is the Citadella, a fortress
constructed by the Habsburgs following the 1848-1849 war of independence. It now houses
an open-air museum chronicling the history of the hill.
The Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge was the first permanent link between Buda and
Pest and is a fitting monument to István Széchenyi - known as the 'Greatest Hungarian'. The
bridge has a British connection too: it was designed by William Tierney Clark and constructed
by Adam Clark, after whom the roundabout on the Buda side is named.
Margaret Island
Budapest's playground, car-free Margaret Island has everything you need
to enjoy a relaxing day - including sport stadium, numerous tennis courts, outdoor swimming
complex, an open air theatre, Japanese and Rose gardens, early medieval ruins, two spa
hotels and a beer garden.
23
PEST
Parliament
The world's second largest parliament building is a postcard
favourite, particularly when reflected in the River Danube below it. It is equally lavish on the
inside, but tourists must be part of an organized sightseeing tour to enter.
St Stephen's Basilica
Named after Szent István (St Stephen) founder of the Hungarian
Christian state, the basilica is visible from all over Budapest. The dome, at 315 ft is the exact
height as that of the Parliament, whose builders decided not to go higher.
The Great Synagogue
This synagogue is the second largest in the world (after the one in
New York). It has three naves and following orthodox tradition, separate galleries for
women. Together the naves and galleries can accommodate up to 3,000 worshippers. It is
also a focal point of Budapest's thriving Jewish community, which holds an annual festival in
and around the impressive building. The Jewish Museum can also be find here, and the
Holocaust Documentation and Memorial Centre is an important and powerful reminder of
one of the darkest periods in European history.
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Andrássy Avenue
It was named after the former prime minister who had done much to
make Budapest a true metropolis. He was determined that Budapest should have an elegant
thoroughfare to emulate Paris's Champs Elysees. The cream of Eclectic architecture is to be
seen along the Avenue including the outstanding Opera House and many beautiful tenement
blocks with intimate inner courtyards, statues and fountains. One of the special features of
Andrássy Avenue is barely visible on the surface. The only give-away is the occasional
wrought iron balustrade leading underground. Europe's first sub-surface railway was built
under the road, and the more than 125 year old underground is still carrying passengers
today along a line only slightly longer than the original.
Heros' Square
The statues on Heroes' Square are very much a who's
who of Hungarian history (with the notable exception of the unpopular Habsburg monarchy,
whose statues were removed and replaced) and its scale and grandeur is an indication of the
pride Hungarians have for their country. Behind it, City Park offers a host of attractions of its
own, including the fairy tale Vajdahunyad Castle, the Zoo and the obligatory Széchenyi Baths.
25
Musical Adventure
Hungary is renowned for its musical culture. The country has lived through historic times
that prevented uninterrupted cultural and industrial development, yet talented Hungarian
musicians in classical, jazz, rock and popular music have spawned world famous musicians.
The history of Hungarian music started with folk music.
It was through adaptations of folk music by such composers as Béla Bartók and Ferenc
Liszt. It is with this backdrop that the Hungarian classics joined the vanguard of international
music in the last century. (Picture: Bartók; One night in Transylvania)
In the most recent genres the unique folkloric flavour is still present not only in the classical
genres but also in the Hungarian adaptation of Jazz and Pop music which have not only been
influenced by folk music but also by the genius of gypsy musicians and their music.
26
Hungarian music is often sad and reflective!
Perhaps one of the saddest songs ever written was “Gloomy Sunday”; it is a song made
famous by Billie Holiday. It was written in 1933 by two Hungarians: Rezső Seress (music) and
Laszló Jávor (lyrics). The song supposedly drew little (adverse) attention until 1936, when it
began to be connected with a rash of suicides and in Hungary it was banned.
American musicians and singers soon jumped at the chance to record translated versions of
the “Hungarian suicide song” and by the end of 1936 several recordings were available to
American audiences. The most popular English version of Gloomy Sunday version was
recorded several years later by Billie Holiday
The “walking tour” of Hungarian music; wonderful sites where various music genres can be
heard and enjoyed:
State Opera House
27
Music Academy
Bartók Memorial House
Liszt Museum
28
The Palace of Arts
29
Famous Musicians of Hungary
Here are the three most famous Hungarian musicians:
Béla Bartók (1881-1945)
One of the greatest Hungarian composers was among the most significant musicians of the
20th century. His music was invigorated by the themes, modes, and rhythmic patterns of the
Hungarian and other folk music traditions he studied, which he synthesized with influences
from his contemporaries into his own distinctive style.
Béla showed precocious musical ability and began to compose dances at the age of nine. In
Pozsony, Bartók studied piano under distinguished teachers. In 1907 he became a piano
instructor at the Budapest Academy and remained in this post for more than twenty-five
years.
Bartók began to collect folk music in Hungary's Békés County in 1906. He became interested
in other folk traditions, studying the folk music of Romanians, Slovakians, Serbs, Croatians,
Bulgarians, Turks, and North Africans as well as Hungarians. The main task of his life was to
collect, analyze, and catalogue major portions of the world's folk music.
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Ferenc Liszt: King of the piano (1811-1886)
"He possessed the most pianistic mind in history."
Born on October 22, 1811 in Doborján, Hungary Franz Liszt was soon recognized to be a child
prodigy at the age of six. Tours and many performances generated amazement and praise
for the young Liszt by audiences, musicians and kings. In 1826 Liszt's father Adam died and
then he earned a living by teaching piano lessons in Paris. He travels all around Europe. In
1835, he travels to Switzerland where he composes several impressions of the Swiss country.
In Portugal he is described as, "God of the piano," and along his journey he performed
charity concerts for various causes. He retires from the concert stage in 1847. By 1848 Liszt
settles in Weimar, living in the Altenberg as Court Kapellmeister. He establishes the
Conservatory of Music in Budapest and he is elected its first president.
The grand master died at 11:30 PM on July 31, 1886.
31
Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967)
He was a prominent Hungarian composer, educator, ethnomusicologist, linguist, author and
philosopher. Along with Bartók and Ligeti, he is one of the three major figures in Hungarian
music of the 20th century. Kodály's many compositions show a strong affinity with the folk
traditions of his country and include ballad operas, orchestral works, chamber music, choral
works, songs, folk song arrangements and music for children. As a composer, Kodály did
much to bridge the gap between Hungarian folk music and the European art music tradition
In later years Kodály was president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, president of The
International Folk Music Council, and honorary president of the International Society for
Music Education.
Kodály spent a lot of time visiting schools and talking to music educators.
Kodály may be best known for his solmisation method, which is widely known all around the
world.
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Hungarian Poetry
They are the most famous Hungarian poets:
Petőfi Sándor (1801-1849)
He is one of the greatest Hungarian poets, who became the voice of rebellious youth of his
country. Like Byron, Petőfi believed in the Romantic idea of an artist as freedom fighter, and
his death created a legend and mystery. Petőfi's prolific career ended at the age of 26. In the
six years 1844-49 he published 10 volumes of poems.
One of his most impressing poems is The National Song. Here is the first part of it:
Rise up, Magyar, the country calls!
Talpra magyar, hí a
haza!
It's 'now or never' what fate befalls...
Itt az idő, most vagy
soha!
Shall we live as slaves or free men?
vagy szabadok?
Rabok legyünk
That's the question - choose your `Amen'!
Ez a kérdés,
válasszatok!
God of Hungarians,
A magyarok istenére
we swear unto Thee,
Esküszünk,
We swear unto Thee - that slaves we shall
rabok tovább
no longer be!
Esküszünk, hogy
Nem leszünk!
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Arany János (1817–1882)
Arany János is a Hungarian epic poet who was born in Nagyszalonta. He took part in
Hungarian revolution and edited government newspaper for peasants. Later he became
elected secretary-general of Hungarian academy. Arany János’s main epic work is ‘Toldi'
trilogy.
This is the first verse of his Toldi-trilogy:
As shepherd’ fire burns Fall’s nights,
Mint ha pásztortűz ég
őszi éjtszakákon,
Waving across sea-huge desert, far:
pusztaságon:
Messziről lobogva tenger
Toldi Miklós’ picture burns me up now
Toldi Miklós képe
úgy lobog fel nékem
From nine or ten people generation high.
ember-öltő régiségben.
Majd kilenc-tíz
Seems as though I could see his tall stature,
Rémlik, mintha
látnám termetes növését,
In destroyer battle his fighter-timber,
Pusztító csatában
szálfa-öklelését,
His rumbling sounds of voices I could hear,
Hallanám dübörgő
hangjait szavának,
Who could be imagined like wrath of God and fear.Kit ma
képzelnétek Isten haragjának.
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Kölcsey Ferenc (1790-1838)
Hungarian Romantic poet whose poem “Hymnusz” (1823), evoking the glory of Hungary's
past became the national anthem of Hungary.
This is the English version of Hungarian National Anthem:
Hungarian version:
O, my God, the Magyar bless
Isten, áldd meg a
magyart,
With Thy plenty and good cheer!
bőséggel,
Jó kedvvel,
With Thine aid his just cause press,
Nyújts feléje védő kart,
Where his foes to fight appear.
Ha küzd ellenséggel;
Fate, who for so long did’st frown,
Bal sors akit régen
tép,
Bring him happy times and ways;
Hozz rá víg
esztendőt,
Atoning sorrow hath weighed down
Megbűnhődte már e
nép
Sins of past and future days.
A múltat s jövendőt!
35
Radnóti Miklós (1909-1944)
Hungarian poet and translator, who is considered one of the most important 20th-century
poets of his country. Radnóti was killed at the age of thirty-five during World War II on a
forced march toward Germany. After the war Radnóti's last poems, written in a notebook
during the march, were discovered from the mass grave in which he was buried.
This verse is in his Eclogue VII.:
Without commas, one line touching the other
csak sort sor alá tapogatva,
I write poems the way I live, in darkness,
Ékezetek nélkül,
úgy írom itt a homályban
a erset, mint ahogy élek,
blind, crossing the paper like a worm.
vaksin, hernyóként
araszolgatván a papíron;
Flashlights, books - the guards took everything.
zseblámpát, könyvet,
mindent elvettek a Lager
őrei
There's no mail, only fog drifts over the barracks. s posta se jön, köd
száll le csupán barakkunkra.
36
Ady Endre (1877-1919)
He was poet, journalist, short story writer, who took the role of "the conscience of the
Hungarian nation". He also wrote religious and revolutionary poems.
This little verse is from his nice, religious poem called: My dream is: God
Hungarian version:
I would like to see him,
Vele szeretnék
találkozni,
With my dreams, big, crazy faith
Az álmommal,
nagy, bolond hitben
And all I say: God, God
Isten, Isten
S csak ennyit szólni:
And once again to pray.
S újból imádkozni.
37
Great Hungarians in the history of mathematics and physics
Samuel Mikoviny (1686 - 1750) was a
renowned mathematician, engineer, map
maker, and professor. He was a leading
representative of science and technology in
the 18th century Kingdom of Hungary and
Habsburg Monarchy. As county engineer of
Bratislava (Pozsony) he devoted most of his
attention to improvement works, especially
anti-flood works on the banks of the river
Danube to secure navigability.
Mikoviny
also
made
a
significant
contribution to the making of a new map of
the Kingdom of Hungary. He relied on his
own measurements and used a scientific
method, based on four basic principles:
astronomical, geometrical, magnetic, and
hydrographic.
Mikoviny was a leading expert on the
construction of water reservoirs, mining
machinery, foundries, and mills. He
greatly contributed to the development of
mining
in
Upper
Hungary.
Inscription:
"O Cara Patria quae me genuisti, dulcis
Panonia" - "Oh, my sweet homeland,
who gave me birth, Pannonia".
Ignác Szentmártony (1718 - 1793)
After graduating from secondary school he entered the order of Jesuits in Vienna in
1735. In Vienna and Graz he lectured in mathematics. By the year 1751, he was in
Lisbon, Portugal where he obtained the title of royal mathematician and astronomer.
With those credentials, he became a member of the expedition that worked on the
rearrangement of the frontiers among colonies (Portugal and Spain), in South
America. Szentmártony took part in expeditions to the Amazon and the Rio Negro
and prepared the first maps of the area. Szentmártony remained a missionary and in
1760 he was deported with other Jesuits. He was released from the prison only in
1777 upon the intervention of the Austrian empress Maria Theresa.
38
Segner,
János
András
(1704
-1777
Originally a doctor of medicine, Segner made
major contributions in mathematics. His
studies at Jena were so successful that he
was soon offered a post at the university. He
had the great distinction of becoming the
first professor of mathematics at Göttingen
taking up the chair in 1735. While at
Göttingen, Segner discovered that every solid
body has three axes of symmetry. He used
Daniel Bernoulli's theoretical work on the
'reaction effect' to produce a horizontal
waterwheel using the same principle which
drives a modern lawn sprinkler. Segner's
study of gyroscopic theory led to the
formulation of Euler's equation of motion of
rotating bodies, i.e. turbines.
This is the base of the known Segner's wheel,
the ancestor of reaction turbines. This innovation is the basis of turning the bladewheels of turbines by flowing water, gas or steam, driving by propellers.
In 1751 Segner introduced the concept of the surface tension of liquids. Other work
which he undertook included the theory of spinning tops. His publications include
Elements of Arithimetic and Geometry a n d Nature of Liquid Surfaces.
From 1755 he taught mathematics, physics and astrology at the Halle University.
Segner's own drawing of the Segner
Wheel.
39
Maximilian Hell [H6N] (1720 - 1792)
An astronomer and an ordained Jesuit priest, Hell
became the director of the Vienna Observatory in
1755.
He
published
the
astronomical
tables
Ephemerides
astronomicae
ad
meridianum
Vindobonemsem ("Ephemerides for the Meridian of
Vienna"). He went to Vardo in the far north of Norway
(then part of Denmark) to observe the 1769 transit of
Venus. There was some controversy about Hell's
observations because he stayed in Norway for eight
months, collecting non-astronomical scientific data
about the arctic regions for a planned encyclopedia.
The publication of his results was delayed, and some
accused Hell posthumously of falsifying his results.
He was exonerated a century after his death in Vienna.
Besides astronomy, Hell also had an interest in
magnet therapy (the alleged healing power of
magnets), although it was Franz Anton Mesmer who
went further with this and received most of the credit.
The crater Hell on the Moon is named after Hell.
Farkas Bolyai (1775 - 1856) Farkas Bolyai was
educated in Nagyszeben from 1781 to 1796 and
studied in Germany during the next three years at
Jena and Göttingen, where he began a lifelong
friendship with Carl F. Gauss. From 1804 to 1853
he
was
professor
of
mathematics
at
Marosvásárhely. His primary interest was in the
Euclidean parallel postulate. His principal work, the
Tentamen
(1832-33),
inspired
by
his
mathematically gifted son János, is an attempt at a
rigorous and systematic foundation of geometry
(Vol. I) and of arithmetic, algebra, and analysis
(Vol. II).
40
János
Bolyai
(1802 -
1860)
Bolyai was educated by his father,
famed
mathematician
Farkas
(Wolfgang)
Bolyai,
in
Marosvásárhely and by the time he was
13 had mastered calculus and other
forms
of
analytical mechanics.
Bolyai
also
became
an
accomplished
violinist
and
he
performed in Vienna. He received
military training and studied at the
Imperial Engineering Academy in
Vienna from 1818 to 1822. He soon
joined the army engineering corps
in which he spent 11 years. He was
an accomplished linguist speaking
nine foreign languages including
Chinese and Tibetan.
János Bólyai as appearing on a relief of the Culture
Palace in Marosvásárhely (Tirau Mures, Romania)
János Bolyai's absolute geometry laid the
foundations of modern geometry by resolving
the 2000 year old problem of geometry. It
opened new horizons in mathematics,
physics, and even in philosophy since it
refuted the Kantian concept of "a priori
space." Bolyai was plagued with a fever
which frequently disabled him and in 1833 he
was pensioned off from his army career.
Although he never published more than the
24 pages of the Appendix, he left more than
20000
pages
of
manuscript
of
mathematical work when he died. These are
now
in
the
Bolyai-Teleki
library
in
Marosvásárhely (Tirgu-Mures).
The tomb of Bolyai and his father at
Marosvásárhely
41
Baron Loránd Eötvös - (1848 - 1919)
The first torsion balance field measurements carried out by Eötvös on Ság Hill of
Transdanubia in August 1891 (courtesy of Eötvös Loránd Geophysical Institute)
The son of a progressive writer and politician, Eötvös graduated of law first, but in
1867 he entered the university in Heidelberg and studied physics, mathematics and
chemistry. After a short period of lecturing at the Pest University (now bearing his
name), in 1872 the king awarded him chair of theoretical physics. In 1874 he was
allowed to give lectures in experimental physics and four years later he became
professor. He was then appointed as director to the newly established physical
institute. In 1889 he was elected president of the Aacademy of Science.
Eötvös was acclaimed and received several awards at home and abroad for his
scientific work including the French Legion of Honour, the Franz Josef award from
the Hungarian king, and the Saint Sava award from the king of Serbia. He was also
elected honorary member of the Prussian Royal Academy of Sciences in Berlin and
was given honorary doctorates from the Jagello University in Cracow and the
Norwegian Royal Frederick University in Christiania (now Oslo).
Eötvös founded the Hungarian Society for Mathematics in 1885 and after physicists
also wished to be part of the Society, he founded the Mathematical and Physical
Society in 1891. Eötvös gained the reputation as one of Europe's most famous
mountaineers. In the Dolomites there is a peak named after him. Climbing also fitted
in with photography, another of Eötvös's several hobbies.
42
Scientific literature and usage bears ample evidence
of his inventions: the Eötvös Law of Capillarity; the
Eötvös Unit of Gravitation (roughly one-billionth of
a gram); the Eötvös Gravitational Torsion Balance
of almost incredible sensitivity; the Eötvös Effect:
and inventions of instruments for measuring
terrestrial magnetism for decades to come. The
torsion balance made it possible to explore for
natural resources like oil, coal, and different ores.
Eötvös also recognized the correlation between
surface tension and molecular weights of liquids
measured at various temperatures. This led to the
Law of Eötvös which was declared by Einstein to be
one of the pillars of his theory of relativity and was
applied
in
his
"theory
of
equivalence.
43
Gyula Fényi (1845 - 1927) a Hungarian Jesuit and astronomer was born in Sopron,
Hungary, the eleventh child of a merchant family. In 1864 he became a member of
the Society of Jesus. He studied at the university at Innsbruck beginning from 1874,
where he trained in theology, mathematics and physics. After completing his studies
in 1878, he would return to teaching and also serve as an assistant at the Haynald
Observatory in Kalocsa. In 1885 he became the director of the observatory, and
would remain at this post until retiring due to poop
Fényi
Gyula
was
noted
for
his
observations
the
Sun,
including
spectroscopic
studies
of
solar prominences, as well as sun spots. He
was
the
first
person
to
demonstrate
a
correlation
between
the
number
of
solar
prominences and the number of sun spots.
Between 1880 until 1919 he assembled over
6,000 drawings of the Sun, all using the same
instrument. He published over 200 scientific
papers in several languages. In 1916 he was
elected
a
corresponding
member
of
the
Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
The Fényi crater on the Moon was named after
him.
of
Customs and traditions
In Hungary there are national customs which used to be very popular in the past, and some
of them still exist like our Nativity plays at Christmas or the sprinkling of the girls and
painting at Easter.
Lucázás can also happen in villages. Luca day is 13th December. This is also called the
day of the wicked because people thought that on this day witches are more active than
usually, that’s why women were forbidden to work on Luca day.
A Luca chair was made by people so that they can able to recognize witches. It had to
be made of 13 different types of wood. Besides this there are many things which are in
connection with Luca day like weather predictions or wedding prophecies. But the custom
which can be seen nowadays too is that young men steal or change people’s gates.
Our other custom is the so called regölés. Men would go from house to house and
they would greet the people. This is one of the most archaic customs of the Hungarians.
Sometimes men used bagpipes or sticks with chains or bells to make their performances
more interesting – and loud! Regölés took place on 26th December, but it doesn’t really exist
anymore.
45
Right before Christmas, Hungarian children presented the birth of Jesus Christ by
Nativity plays. Nowadays they still do so, mostly in villages.
Another way of preparing for Christmas was the making of the Advent wreath.
People still make it. This wreath is usually made from evergreen. The four candles on it
symbolize the four Sundays of the Advent period. The last candle is lighted on the last
Sunday before Christmas.
In Hungary Christmas tree has always been a symbol of Christmas. In the past there
were sacred images and a crib under the tree. Nowadays instead of these, people place gifts
there.
Apart from these there were also different fruits and vegetables which had an
important role in people’s lives. For example, garlic dipped into honey, apple and nut meant
health. To be rich people ate beans, peas, fish, pumpkins and poppy-seed cake. They made a
lot of kinds of food for Christmas and all of the family members had to taste everything at
least once.
Hungarians also had a tradition on the last day of the year. On 31st December they
made a lot of noise to chase the bygone year away.
46
In February Hungarian people tried to chase the winter away by wearing frightening
costumes. This custom is the so called Busójárás and it still exists today. People think if they
frighten the winter, the spring will come earlier.
Easter time in Hungary we have a costume of sprinkling the girls. The meaning of this
is the following. Water is cleansing, renewing power of faith is the basis of this convention,
which today is remained in the cities but sprinkling with perfumes not water.
Biblical origin is attributed to the sprinkling tradition. The soldiers who were guarding
Christ's tomb, tried to pacify the happy women watering them, who heard the good news of
the resurrection. Boys watered the girls with water from the well in the countryside,
sprinkled bucket off the girls, and in some areas they washed them in the nearby streams.
The girls give beautifully painted eggs to the boys as a gift for the sprinkling.
47
The boys need to know a nice Easter rhyme to salute the girls. Here is one example for this:
English version:
Get up from your pillow my beautiful violet,
Look out the window, what a wonderful world.
I’ll sprinkle you with scent of fresh dew, quickly,
To return, fill my barrow with nice red egg.
Hungarian version:
Kelj fel párnádról szép ibolyavirág,
Tekints ki az ablakon, milyen szép a világ.
Megöntözlek gyorsan a harmat friss illatával,
Teljen a talicskám sok szép piros tojással.
48
Hungarian Folk Art
While in some places in the world, folk art is confined to a
museum, in the Hungarian countryside it is a living tradition. The
spontaneous desire to delight and entertain, passed on from one
generation to the next, is reflected in the diverse music, dance,
crafts and costumes that can still be found all over the country
today. What's more, folk art is influenced by Serbian, Slovakian and
Romanian traditions from the waves of settlers that arrived in the
region over the centuries.
Lace and embroidery are typical of Hungary, although techniques and designs vary from
village to village. Halas lace, for example, from the Southern Puszta is unique in its intricacy,
and Kalocsa embroidered folk costumes bear an ancient motif commonly incorporated into
wall paintings. When it comes to Hungarian pottery, decoration is as important as function colourful plates often take the place of paintings on walls.
All of these traditional forms of folk art can be found in local
markets and cottage workshops throughout Hungary. In addition,
the Skanzen open-air village museum just outside Szentendre is a
good place to start discovering traditional architecture, and there
are several more dotted around the country. The Kovács Margit
Museum, also located in Szentendre, is a tiny jewel-box. Its
charming ceramic figures are visions of goodness, beauty and
humanity. Souvenir hunters or antiques enthusiasts in Budapest should head for the Ecseri
market, one of several market halls and the row of shops on Falk Miksa Street.
49
Hungarian Folkdance Types
MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF HUNGARIAN DANCE:
1. They are almost always improvised.
2. There are specific regional variations, which are due to uneven development.
3. Most of the time the dances are closely associated with specific music, and they are
important elements of community life. [They have a purpose.]
REGIONAL DIALECTS OF HUNGARIAN DANCE:
In a very broad generalization we can divide Hungarian folkdances into three geographic
areas. Of course variations within these large regions are numerous.
WESTERN REGION:
From the Austrian border to the Danube River, which is essentially all of Western Hungary.
Mostly new style dances are found here, generally with a “down-accented” style. Obviously
this was the area that was most influenced by Western musical and dance fashions.
TISZA REGION:
From the Danube River traveling East to the Romanian boarder, both sides of the Tisza River.
This area preserved many old style dances, but new style forms are also abundant. The
Szatmár *North Eastern+ Region may exhibit the “most characteristic” form of Csárdás. The
dances are usually “up-accented” style, meaning that the first movement is in an upward
direction to the first measure of music.
TRANSYLVANIAN REGION:
Politically this area constitutes the Western part of Romania at this time, but we can find the
most versatile and beautiful, often archaic folkdances which were preserved here due to the
political and geographical isolation from western influences. All forms of dances may be
found here, but they are specific to small geographic areas or even specific villages. The
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uneven development of music and folkdance is most interesting and exciting in this region,
research is still uncovering new findings.
A brief categorization of Hungarian folkdances may be presented as follows:
OLD STYLE DANCES:
Dating back to the Middle Ages or earlier.
1. KARIKÁZÓ: Karikázó means circle dance, which are women’s dances mostly without
music, accompanied by the singing of folksongs. These are the most archaic forms of
folkdances found in Hungary.
2. UGRÓS or JUMPING DANCES:
Solo or couple dances which are accompanied by old style music with an “um-pah” rhythm
[accent on the second measure+. Shepherd, solo man’s dances from Transylvania and
marching dances are examples of these forms. Remnants of medieval weapon dances may
also be part of this group.
3. OLD STYLE COUPLE SANCES:
Found in remote villages of Transylvania, which were away from western musical influences,
usually accompanied by uneven musical tempos.
NEW STYLE DANCES:
These dances developed during the later part of the 18th Century, they also paralleled the
development of a new style musical form in Hungarian culture, mostly due to fashions and
influences arriving from Western Europe.
1. VERBUNK:
Solo men’s dances which evolved from the “recruiting” dances of Austro-Hungary, when
recruiting into the army was conducted by professional party makers, staging big festivities
to attract young lads by presenting army life as “fun”. The VERBUNK dances of today remind
us of this tradition to maintain a paid army for the Empire.
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2. CSÁRDÁS:
The National couple dance of the Hungarians, which in its simple form is two steps to the
right and two steps to the left, followed by turning the woman around. However, its regional
variations and intricate additional figures are innumerable.
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Do you know the Hungarian cuisine?
1. GEOGRAPHIC SETTING AND ENVIRONMENT
Hungary is a landlocked country in the middle of Europe. Hungarian farmers grow enough
wheat, corn, rye, potatoes, and some fruits, to feed its population. Also many Hungarian
farmers raise livestock.
One of the largest challenges facing Hungary is the preservation of its environment. Hungary
has huge problems with air and water pollution, so they need to solve these things to
produce a good qualified food for everyone.
Hungary's principal rivers are the Danube and Tisza, and the largest lake is Balaton. All three
provide good fishing areas for Hungary's sport and commercial fishers.
2. HISTORY AND FOOD
The first people to live in present-day Hungary were nomads called the Magyars, who
arrived in around A.D. 800. Hungary's national dish, a meat stew called goulash, can be
traced to the Magyars' eating habits. They travelled with dried cubes of meat cooked with
onions, and water could be added to make a stew.
The reign of King Matthias (1458–90) was a high point in Hungarian history, for both culture
and food. Through his Italian wife, Queen Beatrice, King Matthias brought Italian cooking to
Hungary. During this period, cooking was raised to a fine art.
When the Turks invaded Hungary in the sixteenth century, they brought their cooking
customs with them. These included the use of the spice paprika and a thin, flaky pastry
called filo (or phyllo ) dough. They also taught the Hungarians how to cook stuffed peppers
and eggplants. The Turks introduced coffee to Hungary.
Austria's Hapsburg monarchy gained control over Hungary from the seventeenth century to
the beginning of the twentieth century. Under Austrian rule, German and Austrian cooking
styles influenced Hungarian eating habits. During this period, Hungary became famous for its
cakes and pastries.
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3. FOODS OF THE HUNGARIANS
The best-known ingredient in Hungarian food is the red-powdered spice called paprika. It is
used to flavour many dishes. Other staples of Hungarian cooking include onions, cabbage,
potatoes, noodles, and caraway seeds. Both cream and sour cream are used heavily in
Hungarian food. Dumplings (dough wrapped around different kinds of fillings) are very
popular as are cabbages or green peppers stuffed with meat and rice. Another favourite is
the pancake called a palacsinta. It is often rolled or wrapped around different kinds of
fillings.
Hungarians eat a lot of meat, mostly pork or beef. Many meat dishes are dipped in bread
and then baked or fried. Hungarians also prepare many different kinds of sausages. The
Hungarian national dish is meat stew. People outside Hungary call it "goulash," but the
Hungarians have several different names for it, including pörkölt and tokány . The dish they
call goulash, or gulyás, is actually a soup made with meat and paprika. Paprika is also a key
ingredient in another national dish; a fish soup called halaszlé.
The Hungarians are known throughout the world for their elegant pastries and cakes. The
flaky pastry dough called filo or phyllo was brought to Hungary by the Turks in the
seventeenth century. Instead of the honey and nuts used in Turkish pastry, the Hungarians
filled phyllo dough with their own ingredients to make a dessert known as strudel. Strudel
fillings include apples, cherries, and poppy seeds. Hungary is known for its wines, especially
the sweet wines of the Tokay region.
4. FOOD FOR RELIGIOUS AND HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
Christmas and New Year's are often celebrated with a roasted stuffed turkey or roasted pig.
The turkey is usually stuffed with chestnut dressing. Eating roast pig on New Year's Day is
supposed to bring good luck. On New Year's Eve, a spicy punch called Krambambuli is
served. It is made from chopped fruit, candied orange peel, walnuts, sugar, rum, and brandy,
to which even more ingredients are added.
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5. MEALTIME CUSTOMS
Most people who live in the country eat a big breakfast. It may consist of eggs, ham or
sausage, cheese, green peppers and tomatoes, and rolls and butter. Adults drink tea or
coffee; children drink milk or cocoa. In the city, some people eat a lighter breakfast
consisting of a beverage and rolls with honey or jam. The biggest meal is the dinner in every
family.
Sunday Dinner Menu
Hard-boiled eggs and cold vegetable appetizer
Chicken vegetable soup
Paprika chicken with dumplings
Cucumber salad
Strudel
Coffee
Lunch, eaten between noon and 2:30 P.M. , is the main meal of the day. Soup, vegetables,
and dessert usually accompany a main meat dish. A light supper is eaten in the evening,
between 5:30 and 8:00 P.M. Usually this is a one-course meal, consisting of soup, a
vegetable dish, or a "Hungarian cold plate." This is a plate of cold meats, cheeses,
vegetables, and hard-boiled eggs. It can be eaten for supper, as a snack, or even for
breakfast. Hungarians eat salad as a side dish with the main part of the meal, not before or
after. Most Hungarian meals end with something sweet, such as sweet noodles, pancakes,
dumplings, or a dessert like strudel or cake. In addition to cold meat, popular snacks include
dumplings, noodle dishes, and baked goods such as lángos, or fried dough.
Before each meal, Hungarians wish their friends or relatives a good appetite, saying Jó
étvágyat kivánok (YO ATE-vah-dyat KEE-vah-nok). At the end of a meal, they express thanks
to their host or hostess, saying Köszönöm (KOH-soh-nohm). The host responds, Váljék
kedves egészségére (VAH-lyake KEHD-vesh EH-gase-shay-reh). This means "I wish you good
health." Music is commonly played in Hungarian restaurants.
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Hungarian Cuisine
1. Hungarian cooking
Food and cooking is form an important part of Hungarian culture. Traditional Hungarian
cuisine relies on the wide variety of high quality ingredients produced in the country (e.g.
meats, seasonal vegetables, fruits, honey etc. ).
Paprika and garlic is to be found everywhere. In the autumn, a fascinating view is the
strings of red paprika (ungrounded red pepper) hung on the white walls of the houses (e.g.
in Kalocsa).
Starters
Soup is the usual Hungarian starter; we are a “soup- eating nation”. The most favourite
soups are: chicken soup, potato- soup, bean- soup, peas-soup, broth, goulash, fish-soup and
fruit-soup.
Main Dishes
The second course often consists of some meat and garnish. We eat various types of meats:
pork, beef, lamb, turkey, chicken etc. Duck, goose and game meats such as venison and wild
boar are also common. Various types of internal organs are cooked, particularly pork, duck
and goose liver. Fish is also popular. Potatoes are the usual accompaniment to many dishes,
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but rice and pasta are also used. We flavour our meals with onion, garlic, fresh or ground
paprika etc.
Desserts and Cakes
The third course is the dessert. This can be some fruit, ice-cream, pancake or cake.
Hungarian cakes tend to be very sweet and are often filled with cream. Strudel is as much a
Hungarian as an Austrian dish, and is typically filled with apple, sour cherries, and curd
cheese or poppy seeds.
2. What is different about Hungarian cooking?
In general, Hungarians prefer rich and spicy sauces, stews and sweets over "drier" dishes.
Red pepper, fresh green peppers and tomatoes, sour cream and lard are used almost
deliberately. Lard or goose-fat are still used for cooking, but vegetable oils become more and
more popular. The use of pastas for desserts like noodles with cottage-cheese, or
‘túróscsusza’, egg squares with fried cabbage or ‘káposztáskocka’ etc. — especially as sweets
with sugared nuts, poppy seeds, fruit jellies or jam — is probably peculiar to Hungary.
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3. Hungarian Drinks
Wine: Hungary is a land of delicious wine. The choice of good wine is available in Hungary
has increased dramatically over the past few years.
Most popular styles include: dry white Chardonnay and Riesling, medium-dry Zöldszilváni,
Harslevelû and Szürkebarát, medium-sweet Tramini and the aromatic Muskotály.
Among red wine, the dry Kékfrankos, Burgundi, Oportó, Cabernet and Pinot Noir are
popular. From the medium-dry Merlot is one of the best ones.
The most famous Hungarian special type of wine is called Tokaji, which is a dessert wine.
This wine is the world renowned Tokaji Aszú, known as the "King of wines and the wine of
kings". Tokaji (Tokay) is undoubtedly the best drink produced in Hungary. Its bouquet and
flavour come from mould that grows only in the fork of the Bodrog and Tisza rivers and the
volcanic soil in which the vines grow. There is sweet, dry, full-bodied and rich.
The red wines which come from the vicinity of Eger are no less reputable: Egri Bikavér and
Medoc Noir. Hungary also produces lovely muscatels, Rieslings such as the white wines of
the Balaton region: Badacsony Riesling, Kéknyelû, Szürkebarát.
Hungarians enjoy drinking refreshing ‘spritzers’( fröccs). This is basically a proportion of wine
with a proportion of soda water.
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Pálinka: This alcoholic drink is distilled from fruit grown in the orchards situated on the
Great Hungarian Plain. It is a spirit native to Hungary and comes in a variety of flavours
including apricot (barack) and cherry (cseresznye). However plum is considered the best of
all.
Beer: Beer goes well with many traditional Hungarian dishes and so many Hungarians chose
to drink is with their lunch.
The 3 main Hungarian breweries are: Dreher, Kõbányai, and Arany Ászok.
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Unicum: For over 150 years, a blend of 40 Hungarian herbs has been used to create
Unicum.
This is a bitter liqueur and can be drunk as an aperitif or after a meal, thus helping digestion.
The recipe is held in secrecy of the Zwach family!
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RECIPIES
I. Soups:
1. Gulyásleves (Gulyás Soup)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. lard · 2 medium-sized onions · 1 tbs. paprika · 2 lb. beef (thick flank and fillet ends) ·
1/2 raw grated potato · 1 tbs. tomato purée · 4 1/2 pints bone and vegetable stock · 1/2 tsp.
caraway seeds · 1 lb. potatoes · 1 green pepper.
For ‘csipetke’, dumplings: 6 oz. flour ·1 egg · pinch of salt.
Fry finely chopped onions in lard to a golden colour, add paprika. Cut the beef into walnutsized cubes, caraway seeds and the grated raw potato. Cover and simmer for about 10
minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomato purée. Half cupful of stock: simmer till meat is
nearly done. Then add the remainder of stock, bring to the boil, add potatoes cut in small
cubes. If available add some sliced green pepper to the ‘gulyás’; in my opinion it gives the
finishing touch to an excellent dish ‘csipetke’.
Genuine Hungarian Gulyás Soup is garnished with ‘csipetke’. Make them as follows: sift flour
into a bowl, add egg and salt. Knead ingredients into a stiff dough. Flatten between your
palms and pinch into small, bean-sized pieces, add to the gulyás and boil slowly for 10
minutes before serving.
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2. Tiszai halászlé (Tisza Style Fish Soup)
Ingredients:
1 lb. fresh-water small fish · 2-2 1/2 lb. carp (or sheat-fish or pike-perch) ·1 large onion · 1
tbs. paprika · 1 green pepper · 1 tomato
Hungarian style fish soup, or "halászlé", is prepared in various ways from region to region.
Wherever it is made the basic secret is said to be the same: a stock is cooked from many
small bodied fish of different flavour, which is then strained and in which the meat of
"nobler" fish (carp, sheat-fish etc.) is cooked. Clean fishes. Cut carp into even, finger-thick
slices. Salt and put slices aside in a porcelain dish. Put the fishes with the head and tail of
carp into a bowl and add finely chopped onions. Cover these with water and cook slowly
about 1 hour. Strain liquid through a fine strainer and add 2 pints cold water. Bring it to the
boil and add red pepper, peeled and chopped tomatoes and green paprika, salted carp
slices. Cook slowly under lid for 10-15 minutes, shaking the saucepan every now and then.
Do not stir.
3. Meggyleves (Sour Cherry Soup)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb. sour cherries · 3 pints water · 2 gills sour cream · 1/2 pint dry red wine · 1 egg yolk ·
6 oz. sugar · the peel of half a lemon ·1 inch-sized piece of cinnamon · 2 tsp. flour · pinch of
salt.
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Stone the sour cherries, and then put them to cook together with sugar, salt, lemon peel,
and cinnamon. Allow to simmer. Meantime, mix in a bowl the flour. Put egg yolk and 1 gill of
sour cream. Mix with a ladleful of soup, and then add to the boiling soup stirring constantly.
Finally, mix wine and other half of sour cream. And add this to the soup as well. After 10
minutes of simmering put soup aside and let it cool. Take lemon peel and cinnamon out
before cooling. This soup is excellent when chilled. It can be made from gooseberries, blackberries, raspberries or red currants as well.
II. Meat dishes:
1. Borjúpörkölt (Veal Stew)
Ingredients:
2 lb. boned knuckle of veal · 2 large onions · 4 oz. lard · 1 tbs. paprika ·1 green pepper ·1
tomato · 1 tsp. salt.
Cut meat into 2-inch cubes. Chop onions finely. Heat the lard in a saucepan. Add chopped
onions, fry till golden. Add paprika, meat and salt. Cover and allow to simmer slowly, adding
a little water every now and then. After 1/2 hour add tomato and green pepper cut in four.
When meat is tender, remove pepper and tomato skins from the gravy. Serve ‘pörkölt’ in a
deep round dish, garnished with boiled potatoes or galushka (midget dumplings).
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2. Töltöttkáposzta (Stuffed Cabbage)
Ingredients:
For the stuffing: 1 1/2 lb. shoulder or best end of pork. ·2 oz. streaky bacon. · 1 egg. · 2 oz.
cooked rice. ·1 oz. lard ·1 small onion. · pinch of salt · pinch of ground black pepper.
For the stew: 1 lb. sauerkraut · 6 large sour or fresh cabbage leaves · 2 oz. lard · 2 tbs. flour ·1
tsp. paprika · 1 gill sour cream
Cut cabbage leaves in two, trimming of the thick vein in the middle. Mince the meat
together with the bacon. Heat lard in small saucepan, add finely chopped onion and fry till
golden-yellow. Pour it over the minced meat. Then add cooked rice, 1 egg, salt and pepper.
Knead mixture well together, spoon even heaps onto the cabbage leaves. Roll them up. Push
the edges of leaves in at both ends. Put the sauerkraut into a large saucepan, add 1/2 pint
water, and bring to the boil. Arrange the stuffed cabbage leaves on top, cover and simmer
slowly for 1 hour. Remove stuffed cabbage leaves from top into a deep dish but keep them
hot under cover. Heat 2 oz. lard in a small saucepan. Add flour and fry till golden- brown, and
then add this roux into the sauerkraut. Stir well, bring to the boil, add sour cream and boil
briskly for 5 minutes. Spoon sauerkraut and gravy over stuffed cabbage leaves and serve hot.
In Hungary garnish is not served with stuffed cabbage.
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III. Pasta & Sweets:
1. Túrós csusza (Noodles with Cottage-cheese)
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. noodles · 7 oz. cottage-cheese ·1 tsp. finely chopped fresh or dried dill · 2 oz. fat
bacon ·1 1/2 gills sour cream
Cook noodles in plenty of salt water. Cut bacon into small cubes meantime, and fry on low
heat till crisp. Lift out bacon, put aside. Drain the cooked noodle. Then put into the bacon-fat
in the saucepan. Lower heats under saucepan then add sour cream. Stir, pull aside and add
the crumbled cottage-cheese and chopped dill. Put immediately into a hot dish. Sprinkle the
chopped, fried bacon on top and serve.
2. Diós bukta (Walnut Roll)
Ingredients:
l lb. flour ·1/2 lb. butter ·2 egg yolks · l whole egg · 4 oz. castor sugar · 1/4 cup milk ·1 oz.
yeast · about l/2 gill sour cream · pinch of salt. For the filling:1 lb. ground walnuts · 3/4 lb.
granulated sugar ·7 oz. sultanas · a good pinch of ground cinnamon · 1/2 stick of vanilla
Put in a cup a spoonful of sugar. Crumble yeast and 1/4 cup milk. Leave to rise. Put the flour
in a bowl, rub butter lightly into the flour till mixture is crumbly. Add egg yolks, sugar, the
risen yeast and enough sour cream to make not too soft dough. Knead thoroughly, then
cover with cloth and let dough stand for at least 3 hours. After this time turn out onto a
floured pastry-board: divide in two, shaping a ball of each part. Roll dough-balls out to 1/365
inch thickness, spread generously with the filling and roll up neatly. Place rolls into a very
lightly greased oblong baking tin, brush top with egg, leave to rise 1/2 hour longer. Then
brush the top of the again with egg, and bake in a medium oven for 20-30 minutes.
Filling: Put the sugar into a saucepan together with 2 tbs. water. Stir constantly. Add ground
walnuts as soon as sugar is melted. After 5 minutes add flavourings, put aside to cool. Then
stir till creamy, and use.
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Must try Hungarian specialities
Paprika
Hungary is a major source of high-quality paprika, in grades ranging from sweet (mild, not
hot) with a deep bright red colour to rather spicy (hot) with a brownish orange colour.
Paprika is used as an ingredient in a broad variety of dishes throughout the world. Paprika is
principally used to season and colour rice, stews, and soups, such as goulash, and in the
preparation of sausages as an ingredient that is mixed with meats and other spices.
Pálinka
A ubiquitous speciality throughout Hungary and the Hungarian enclaves of neighbouring
Transylvania, pálinka is the generic name for the fiery fruit brandy often distilled by peasants
from home-grown plums, apricots and pears. Only for responsible drinkers, 40% proof.
The Rézangyal Pálinka Cellar at Kálvin Square, Budapest offers more than 100 types of
pálinkas!
Unicum
Unicum is a special blend of herbs and spices that Hungarians swear by as an aid to
digestion, among many other things. It is indisputably Hungary's answer to Marmite- you will
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either love it or you hate it. For more information please visit: Zwack Unicum Heritage
Visitors' Centre
Tokaji Aszú
Tokaji is the name of the wines from the region of Tokaj-Hegyalja in Hungary. The region is
noted for its sweet wines made from grapes affected by noble rot, a style of wine which has
a long history in this region. The Tokaji Aszú, world-famous dessert wine of Hungary, is a
type of Tokaji wine that is proudly cited in the Hungarian National Anthem.
Goose liver or “foie gras”
Hungary is the world's second-largest foie gras "Libamáj" producer and the largest exporter.
Goose liver is part of traditional Hungarian cuisine and a must try when visiting the country.
Pick “Winter” Salami
For more than 130 years the Pick Company has been creating unique flavours and
unforgettable treats with its top-quality products. Pick Winter Salami is the company's most
famous product. This is a real delicacy! It is available at any supermarket or grocery store in
Hungary.
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Szamos Marcipán
The Szamos Marzipan Museum and Confectionery in Szentendre is Hungary's first marzipan
museum. The exhibition displays the art of marzipan making, including some masterpieces of
confectionery, such as the 160 centimetre tall model of the Parliament building.
For more information about the products please visit: Szamos Marcipán
Túró Rudi
In the 1960s a small group of dairy industry professionals got inspired by a study trip to
Moscow and came up with a unique new product - a sweet chocolate bar filled with lemony
cottage cheese. The "pöttyös" (spotty or spotted) theme is part of the marketing scheme of
the bar, and the distinctive red polka-dots are readily associated with Túró Rudi by regular
consumers. The bar comes in different flavours like apricot, strawberry, coconut or peanut
butter but these are not as popular as the original. The plain bar can be found with milk or
dark chocolate coating and it is best kept refrigerated. For more information please visit:
www.english.pottyos.hu
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Into a gift-basket…
…we put some presents from the most typical hungaricums with warm hospitality!
Salami
The famous Hungarian Salami is made by the Pick Company and is a salami coated whit
white noble mildew. The Pick Winter salami is produced since 1869 and is exported to a lot
of European countries. You can eat it as a cold cut with bread or just as an appetizer in itself.
Herend Porcelain
This famous Hungarian porcelain is a handmade product of the Hungarian Herend village. It’s
produced since the middle of the 18th century and can be found all over the world.
The Herend Porcelain Company has shops in cities like New York, Peking, Sydney and almost
in every big city of the world. Get a piece of this noble porcelain for yourself or your friends
and family.
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Zsolnay Porcelain
The Zsolnay Factory was founded in 1853 and since then more than 30,000 different items of
porcelain manufacturing. A large part of the mysterious objects eosin material is covered
with beautiful porcelain, each unique look and impart colour. The factory is located in Pécs,
of course, each product is hand painted.
Tokaji Wine
“Tokaji Aszú” is a worldwide famous Hungarian dessert wine, made in the wine-district
Tokaj-Hegyalja. The great location and the special preparing, that turns the grape into aszú
(raisin), make the Tokaji Aszú so excellent.
The Tokaji wines can be sorted in different types, like Furmint, Szamorodni, Aszú or
Hárslevelű, which are all worldwide famous, high-quality wines of this district.
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Unicum
The Hungarian specialty, Unicum is a black liqueur, which is including more than 40 different
herbs and is made by the Zwack family for more than 200 years, using a secret formula. The
new version of Unicum is also very popular in Hungary, Unicum Next and the difference lies
in the fruit flavour and in the less bitter aftertaste.
Red Paprika
The red paprika is a very often used vegetable in the Hungarian cuisine. It grows in the
southern, warmer areas of the country the most important regions are Szeged and Kalocsa.
The Hungarian paprika is worldwide famous for its beautiful red colour and aromatic flavour.
The red paprika can be very spicy, but spiciness is not typical for all the Hungarian dishes,
which are made of this delicious vegetable.
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Saint Emery Catholic Primary School
Gödöllő, Hungary
2100, No.19. Szabadság square
Principal: András Varga
This book is edited by: Diana Juniné Tóth-Sebes
The different kinds of information was looked for and chosen by the
students from primary 7-8 classes.
The sources were the internet, the school and local libraries,
moreover the teachers’ and students’ team works.
1. November 2009.-1. September 2010.
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